Tonight! Battle of Beaver Valley as Concord supers set to discuss controversial development plan

It's a bit unusual when a petition shows up on change.org to keep something from changing.

But that's been the case with the Beaver Valley section of Concord Township, a nature preserve that covers part of Delaware County and Delaware and is being threatened by potential development. More than 1,100 acres of the preserve were named as a national monument in March and cannot be developed.

However, that still leaves 771 acres unprotected, including 325 in Delaware County that could be developed. The land is owned by the Delaware nonprofit real estate company Woodlawn Trustees. The company is seeking to rezone the 325 acres in Delaware County to commercial, which would allow Woodlawn to sell portions of the property to developers.

Advertisement

It's a development that is not sitting well with a many in the southeastern part of the county.

"I moved here in 2008 and that was a big reason why we bought here," said Chris Donnelly, who lives near the reserve on Beaver Valley Road. "It's gorgeous."

It's gorgeous enough that there is expected to be a large gathering for the 7 p.m. township board of supervisors rezoning meeting tonight, which was moved to Garnet Valley Middle School. No decision on the rezoning is expected tonight.

The reserve is a place for runners, hikers, bikers, horseback riders or even casual walkers who enjoy watching the wildlife. According to another report, the possible zoning would call for homes and businesses to be clustered to allow for the a large majority of the trails to remain intact.

The potential development calls for 200,000 feet of commercial space with several buildings and about 400 homes and townhouses. The commercial development would be called Concord Commons, an age-restricted community would be called The Mews at Concord, and another residential development would be called The Preserve at Concord.

However, even if the trails stay the same, the lack of preserving the area and wildlife around those trails has many upset. The change.org petition was at more than 4,500 signatures as of Monday afternoon and the website savethevalley.org has had more than 10,000 views on its video.

"Woodlands and all of the turtles and birds and wildlife would be affected by air, noise and light pollution," said Lindsay McNamara, a 2012 University of Delaware graduate who a has a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies with a concentration in environment, society and sustainability. "There will have to be different access roads with trucks coming in and out for construction. Just building the houses, even before they stand, will have a physical impact on wildlife."

While Donnelly and his wife love the preserve, which includes being home to bald eagles, he says there are also other factors about bringing more residences and businesses into an area that many already consider crowded.

"It's not just about the land," he said. "There will be an increase in need for public services. It will increase taxes."

"We're aimed at the same goal and fully support each other," said Beverly Barnett, who created the Beaver Valley Conservancy agency.

According to Barnett, current zoning does allow for 20,000 square feet for commercial zoning on the property. But to increase that to 200,000 feet, including room for a big box store, would no doubt have an effect on numerous wildlife.

"The biggest impact will be on the streams," she said. "Right now, you can measure the invertebrates in the stream. After development, and even after the stormwater basin is in place, you lose life in the stream."

McNamara's concern is that if this happens locally, it could become more common nationally.

"That makes me nervous when I think about the precedent it could set," she said. "The whole point is to preserve space. That company has been sitting on that preserve for 50 years and worked hard for 50 years to keep it preserved. Something's weird there."

Before the meeting tonight, those in favor of keeping the preserve plan to meet in the school parking lot at 5:30. What will happen after 7 p.m. may well determine the future plan for the Beaver Valley preserve.

"I think it's going to be a 12-rounder," Donnelly said. "We know it's not going to be easy. We need to go out swinging on this one."

McNamara says it's worth fighting for because once part of the preserve is gone, it's gone forever.

"The environmentalists, we're just playing defense at this point," she said. "We're just trying to hold on to what we've got."

MEETING INFORMATION

What: Concord Township Board of Supervisors rezoning meeting

Where: Garnet Valley Middle School

When: 7 tonight

Hot topic: Discussion of potential rezoning of 325 acres of Beaver Valley nature preserve to commercial that would allow for more than 400 houses and a big box store to be built on the land.